Pabst Mansion

Elk Antler Chandelier

This is a reproduction of the original chandelier made by the famed Austrian-born master blacksmith, Cyril Colnik. This Flemish Renaissance mansion was completed in 1892, and it was fitted with many lighting fixtures that were both natural gas and electric, as electricity was rather new, and often unreliable. The mansion was purchased by the Catholic Archdiocese in 1908, and served as the residence of the archbishop. During the next 67 years, many elements of the mansion were removed and sold; one of which was the original foyer chandelier, purchased by what is now called “Von Trier”, a German style cocktail lounge. The mansion was purchased in 1975 with the intent to restore it to its original splendor, and open it to the public for tours. Even though I did not design this piece, I consider it to be my masterpiece, and one of the most challenging pieces I have created thus far in my career. (Lottermoser image)

Home to Milwaukee's pioneer brewing family and five archbishops, the Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is being restored to its original splendor.

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Selected forged lighting, designewd and created by Dan Nauman. However, the Pabst chandelier above, and the two wall sconces below, are reproductions of work originally made for the mansion, but removed by former owners over the years. The originals were made by Austiran born master blacksmith, Cyril Colnik (1871-1958).

In 2008, I had the privilege to restore a very large window grille made by master blacksmith Cyril Colnik. The grille belongs to the “Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion” and is situated on the northern exterior of the building. It measures 66″ x 99″. The approximate age of the grille is

Once again we shall visit the ironwork of master blacksmith Cyril Colnik (1871-1958.) Note to my readers: To enlarge an image, simply click on the desired image. The image above is a mailbox made for Maria Pabst, wife of the famed Milwaukee beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst. This piece is

“Reproduction Chandelier” , 2004, mild steel, black Gilders paste finish Two of the installations in this blog have dealt with repoussé elements applied to a reproduction of a Cyril Colnik chandelier, made for the “Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion” back in 2004. (See above image.) In this installment, I would like

“Candlestick 2005.” 6 1/2″ x 12″, mild steel, black Gilders Paste finish. Photo by George Lottermoser. There are different processes of repoussé, as explained in an earlier discussion here. Today we will take a closer look at the process of sinking. The below-story board shows the development of a bobeche,

French repoussé, also called “hammer and stake raising”, is one of several repoussé processes. This method utilizes several small raising hammers, that lightly strike the sheet metal over various stake forms held in a vise. Another process involves “sinking”, by using various punch-like forms to force the sheet metal into